Description: The overall color of the Blackwater Crayfish is light brown to tan with whitish speckling and splotches. There are two dark spots on either side of the carapace and a pale (sometimes indistinct) stripe down the center of the carapace. The abdomen has a broad, dark indistinct longitudinal stripe. The claws are brown with dark tubercles. The areola is moderately broad and there is a single cervical spine on each side of the cephalothorax. The rostrum is long, tapering, and has marginal spines or tubercles. This species reaches a maximum total body length of about 82 mm (3.2 in).

Similar Species: The Blackwater Crayfish has been collected with several other Procambarus species including the White River Crawfish (Procambarus acutus), Black Mottled Crayfish (P. enoplosternum), Hummock Crayfish (P. lunzi), and Eastern Red Swamp Crawfish (P. troglodytes). All but the Black Mottled Crayfish have a narrower areola than the Blackwater Crayfish and none (except sometimes Black Mottled) have discrete dark spots on the upper sides of the carapace. Black Mottled Crayfish differs from Blackwater Crayfish by having a very dark overall appearance (in some populations) and always having a dark saddle at the rear of the carapace.

Habitat: The Blackwater Crayfish is primarily a stream dweller usually associated with some sort of cover, particularly vegetation and undercut banks. It may also be found in leaf litter or associated with rocks or woody debris.

Diet: No studies of the Blackwater Crayfish are known. Crayfishes are considered opportunistic omnivores and likely feed on live and decaying vegetation, aquatic insect larvae, small fishes, and dead animal matter.

Life History: Male Blackwater Crayfish in reproductive condition have been collected in March, April, May, June, and December and no females with eggs have been collected. The smallest male in reproductive condition is about 56 mm (2.2 in) in length (Hobbs 1981). Since no females with eggs have been found it is likely that they retreat to burrows to lay eggs and rear young.

Survey Recommendations: Since this species is usually found in flowing water, it is most easily collected by holding a net perpendicular to the current downstream of vegetation or woody debris and kicking to dislodge and scare crayfish into the net. If there are rocks or logs in the creek, they may be carefully lifted and crayfish may be pinned by hand or coaxed into a dipnet. Using a backpack electroshocker or minnow traps can be effective as well.

Range: The Blackwater Crayfish is endemic to Georgia and found in the lower Ogeechee, Canoochee, and Newport river systems.

Threats: This species is considered secure although it has a very restricted range. Introduction of a non-native species into the Ogeechee or Canoochee river systems would likely threaten this species.

Conservation and Management Recommendations: General watershed level protection measures will help secure the continued existence of the Blackwater Crayfish in Georgia. These include the protection of riparian zones, control of sediment and nutrient runoff from farms and construction sites, and limiting the amount of impervious cover (e.g., pavement) within occupied watersheds. Non-native crayfishes should never be used for bait. Instead, anglers should use crayfishes collected from the river system they will be fishing in and should never release unused bait crayfish back into Georgia waters.